Battersea residents await council’s decision on controversial tower

Wandsworth residents feel misled by property developer’s proposal to build a controversial tower next to Battersea Bridge.

The plan, led by Rockwell Property, would see the construction of a 28-storey residential and commercial building situated adjacent to Battersea Bridge, on the current site of the ten-storey Glassmill building. 

The project is subject to fervent debate as the Stop The Tower petition against One Battersea Bridge, led by area campaigner and journalist Rob McGibbon, has almost 5,000 signatures.

The Chelsea Citizen online newspaper editor McGibbon said: “It is the wrong plan at the wrong location, and they took on the wrong community.

“The tower is a completely toxic idea. Not only that, but if it was pushed through it could set a terrible precedent that would end up destroying this historic riverside vista.

“The petition has galvanised multiple communities across London riverside boroughs, including Historic England and the Environment Agency.”

Rockwell stated the site is a rare opportunity to create a new landmark development fronting the River Thames and without regeneration, this site will remain vacant and financially unviable.

McGibbon, who previously ran a successful campaign to improve the safety of Battersea Bridge in 2021 after witnessing a fatal crash, expressed concern about the future of the riverside.

He compared the proposed development to neighbouring area Vauxhall and stated Battersea could be changed irreversibly.

Along with the signatures on his petition, over 1,900 objection comments appear on the council’s planning website. 

Area celebrities Mick Jagger, Eric Clapton and Felicity Kendal have also shown their support for the campaign.

Wandsworth Council will make their decision on Thursday 24 April. 

Earlier this month, the same council approved a 29-storey housing development on the old Wandsworth Gasworks site, despite objections.

The original proposal for OBB was 34 floors, which would significantly tower above other buildings in the vicinity.

This contradicts Wandsworth’s Local Plan (2023), which states tall buildings should be proportionate to the local environment.

Rockwell has since lowered this to 28 floors and increased the proposed number of social housing in the development to 50%, surpassing Wandsworth Council’s policy of 35%. 

Rockwell’s managing director Nicholas Mee said: “The Spring Statement made it clear: delivering new housing is a national priority.

“Turning it down delays real solutions in favour of inaction.”

Alongside McGibbon’s petition, Friends of Battersea Riverside are campaigning against the project. 

Group member and resident of 22 years, Peter Morley, sympathises with the challenge faced by councils to provide affordable social housing. 

He said: “The community is not against converting the existing building to its current height and putting it to good use.”

However, Morley is doubtful the developers will fulfil their promise of affordable housing due to the high construction costs associated with the building.

A Rockwell spokesperson said:  “A mixture of efficiencies and public policy make it possible.”

The developers referred to eligible schemes in partnership with housing associations and the Greater London Authority.

The proposal has received 1,887 comments of support on the council’s planning website, but Morley questioned Rockwell’s canvassing techniques and letters of support for the project. 

He stated that in an attempt to drive up support, Rockwell had approached people in Battersea Park.

He said: “They ask the question, ‘Would you like to see more affordable housing in the area?’.

“Who is going to say ‘no’ to that?”

Among the letters of support, there are references to the project’s role in addressing homelessness.

Although 50% of the building will be privately owned, there are comments in support of the development stating: “We need more social housing not penthouses for millionaires.” 

Morley believes Rockwell misled people and gave them an incomplete picture of the proposed development.

Several people who had originally written letters of support for the building have since written to the council to withdraw them.

A spokesperson for Rockwell said their trained field workers were fully briefed and introduced the proposal clearly in writing to residents, stating that it was in support of OBB.

They added if any resident wished to change or withdraw their letter, they could contact Rockwell at any time and they would ask the council to remove it.

Ahead of the decision meeting, council officers have recommended the construction does not take place.

Morley said: “I’m not cracking open the champagne yet because there’s every chance that Rockwell will appeal to the mayor.

“I hope, and I implore them to withdraw this entirely.”

Picture credit: RobMcGibbon_TheChelseaCitizen